Barcelona v Atletico Madrid

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Saturday night brings us action from the top of the Spanish top flight table as the La Liga leaders, Barcelona, play host to second placed Atletico Madrid but only goal difference separates these two clubs ahead of this Saturday night's showdown as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid sit on 38 points apiece.

Barcelona may sit top of the domestic top flight table but recent results suggest the hosts are by no means a guaranteed three points this Saturday night at their Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys as the hosts have managed to muster just one win from their last six matches overall.

That rare highlight came by way of a crushing 5-1 victory away from home at Mallorca but having also slumped to three defeats as well as being held to two disappointing draws, Barcelona look shadows of their former selves and a side that had previously racked up 11 wins from their opening 12 matches of this campaign.

Recent losses at the hands of Real Sociedad, Las Palmas and Leganes respectively have allowed the likes of Atletico Madrid to close the gap on the hosts at the top of the La Liga table along with being held to draws by Celta Vigo and Real Betis as well.

Two defeats on the trot on home soil as well give the upcoming visitors a welcome boost ahead of Saturday's encounter.

Onto Atletico Madrid and the visitors will be brimming with confidence when they make their way to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on the back of a six-match winning streak which has lifted Diego Simeone's side level on points with their upcoming hosts.

Recent victories at the expense of Las Palmas, Mallorca, Alaves, Real Valladolid, Sevilla and Getafe along with Barcelona's mini slump has enabled Atletico Madrid to catch up with the league leaders and the visitors will be confident that they can get something from this upcoming encounter.

The bigger picture shows Atletico Madrid have suffered just the single defeat so far in this season's La Liga campaign which came in the form of a 1-0 loss away from home at Real Betis but also includes collecting 11 wins within their total of 17 league matches played to date.

Atletico Madrid have also made themselves a tough unit to beat away from home in the domestic top flight as well, as Diego Simeone's side have tasted defeat just once in their previous 11 outings on the road along with securing seven wins in the process - goals may be in short supply though as eight of Atletico's 11 away games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals.

Barcelona v Atletico Madrid Verdict

Barcelona's recent decline in form might just give Atletico Madrid enough to produce a surprise win here on Saturday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 2.37

Other side bets worth considering:

Atletico Madrid win @ 3.90

Correct Score: Atletico Madrid 1-0 @ 15.00